💦 Summoning all water nymphs, sirens & other critters from the Bilya (Rivers) to join us in celebrating NAIDOC week and all our brotherboys and sistergirls who walk alongside us 💦 

Ngalak Nidja Bilya (We are the River) is back for 2025 with an incredible line up of First Nations DJs and performers, a best dressed competition with a $1000 cash prize, and rooftop market stalls. 

This is a not-for-profit event. All profit from ticketing will be donated to three local First Nations community organisations: 

Voice of Hope

Koya Aboriginal Corporation

Dumbartung Aboriginal Corporation

💧 DJS 💧 TO BE ANNOUNCED - STAY TUNED

💧 MCS & LIVE PERFORMANCES 💧 TO BE ANNOUNCED - STAY TUNED

💧 ROOFTOP MARKET STALLS 💧 TO BE ANNOUNCED - STAY TUNED

NGALAK NIDJA BILYA (We are the River) is a queer fundraiser ball in honour of NAIDOC Week, produced by Tanesha Bennell (Boorloo Justice) in association with The Rechabite. 

This event is an opportunity for learning, dancing and celebrating all flowing into one exciting and powerful event.

Come join us in the ancient wetlands of Boorloo, and dance and twirl on the same ancient boodja of those who came before us paying homage to First Nations trailblazers and LGBTQIA+ trailblazers alike.

The theme and title of this event represents the season of Makuru (the wet season on Noongar Boodja) and the deep connection Noongar/First Nations peoples have with the waterways - specifically on Noongar Boodja the Derbarl Yerrigan (swan river) as the resting place of the Noongar creation spirit the Waugal. It also acknowledges the wetlands that existed prior to colonisation - that the Perth (Boorloo) CBD now sits on top of.

We are the River also recognises the fluidity and ever-flowing nature of queerness and identity - and acknowledges the fact that queerness has existed long before us in many different shapes and forms.
Now we know that us queer folk love a theme, so instead of clutching those pearls drape yourself in them like Aphrodite rising from the sea-foam, and pull out that mermaid tail to seduce sailors like a siren. There will be a best-dressed competition with a grand prize of $1000 waiting to be caught 🎣

Dress Theme Notes: Makuru & Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River)
•    COLOURS: Blues, Purples, Greens
•    NATIVE WILDLIFE: Mali (Black Swan), Wardong (Crow)
•    NATIVE FLOWERS: Blueberry Lily, Purple Flag, Weeping Peppermint
•    WEATHER: Rains, Cloudy Skies, Cool 
•    CONCEPTS: River, Underwater, Flowing, Changing

Important note: sadly due to licensing restrictions outside of the venue's control, all attendees must have their chests and buttocks covered at all times when in the venue. This rule applies to people of all genders. 
Please note that dressing up is optional, and you're more than welcome to join us in whatever you're most comfortable in. 

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With a line up full of First Nations creatives, you’ll get to experience a night of abundance and variety, from incredible DJs and performers headlining the main stage in the Hall, market stalls full of local First Nations businesses on the rooftop - this event is definitely not one to miss!

We would like to acknowledge that this event takes place on the unceded lands of the Whadjuk Noongar People and we wish to acknowledge the Whadjuk Noongar peoples ongoing connections to the land, seas and skies. We acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of giants and want to thank the Elders past and present for being our leaders and knowledge keepers and allowing us to share this boodja and space with our community. We also acknowledge the tenacity of all other First Nations community members from across this nation, and remind all that sovereignty was never ceded.